Woodside has been busy lobbying to change the rules on emissions for its North West Shelf project in Australia. This project is among the biggest gas operations in the country. Recent emails released through freedom-of-information laws show how Woodside pushed to adjust the conditions set by Environment Minister Murray Watt, allowing the project to run until 2070.
In May 2025, Watt claimed he imposed strict conditions on the project’s approval. However, documents reveal that negotiations between his department and Woodside continued long after this announcement, making the exact terms unclear until September 12, when 48 conditions were finally made public.
Notably, Woodside was against key conditions like real-time emission monitoring and periodic reductions in emissions. A Woodside representative expressed concern that these conditions would not reflect the project’s operational realities as production declines over time.
In response, Watt relaxed some terms. Instead of constant monitoring, Woodside could opt for predictive models to gauge emissions, although these come with risks of inaccuracies. The final terms require the company to manage emissions at levels consistent with those recorded before the approval.
The documents highlight a complex relationship between Woodside and the government. For example, on June 12, 2025, a company official requested more time to respond to the conditions while asking the government to synchronize its public statements with Woodside’s messaging.
Woodside’s operations are in proximity to Murujuga, a site rich in Indigenous rock art, which UNESCO flagged for potential inclusion on its World Heritage List. However, there are concerns this industrial activity could damage the site. The World Heritage Committee initially advised against including Murujuga, citing the potential harm from nearby industrial developments. Since then, efforts led by Watt resulted in the site being added to the list in July 2025.
Community groups, like Save Our Songlines, are challenging Watt’s approval in court, arguing that the government has favored Woodside too much. Mardathoonera spokesperson Raelene Cooper voiced her distrust, stating the government is allowing Woodside to degrade a vital cultural site.
A Woodside representative countered that the project’s approval followed extensive assessments by regulatory bodies, pledging to defend its position in the ongoing legal battles.
This case highlights the tension between environmental protection and industrial growth—a conflict likely to intensify as the government weighs economic benefits against ecological preservation. Recent surveys show that 72% of Australians are concerned about climate change and support stricter emissions regulations. The push for transparency and accountability in environmental policies has never been clearer.
For more detailed insights, check out the [Environmental Protection Authority’s report](https://www.epa.gov.au) on monitoring emissions in Australia.
